Niponge Nisiponge? Ruto Extends Olive Branch to Joshua Kutuny

It appears that President William Ruto continues to build bridges with his political critics from his Rift Valley political stronghold.

This comes after he has continued to extend an olive branch to his political adversaries, particularly those who opposed his presidential bid in the 2022 general election.

Most recently, he has given a significant role to the former Cherangany Member of Parliament, Joshua Kutuny, bringing him out from the political cold.

Kutuny will now serve as the Chairman of the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) for the next three years.

“By the authority vested in me as provided under section 6 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2001, I, William Samoei Ruto, Deputy President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, appoint Joshua Kutuny to be the Chairman of the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) for a period of three (3) years, with effect from October 27, 2023,” said the official government gazette notice dated October 26, 2023.

Kutuny lost in the Cherangany parliamentary race in 2022, defeated by the then-MP Wesley Korir. He was among the Kalenjin community leaders who opposed President Ruto during last year’s election campaign.

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His political stance, despite pressure from many in the Rift Valley region, saw him lose the Cherangany parliamentary seat under the Jubilee Party ticket.

Kutuny began to express his support for the President after the Jubilee Party developed internal divisions that eventually led to its disintegration in the fourth phase of government.

At the same time, the President has appointed the former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sally Kosgei, as the Chancellor of Taita Taveta University for a five-year term.

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Dr. Kosgei was also a critic of President Ruto because she supported the opposition leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in 2022.

Tensions against President Ruto from leaders in the Rift Valley seemed to ease after Kenya Kwanza took the helm.

The leader of the KANU party, the Co-Principal of the Azimio alliance, and the former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi remained silent after President Ruto took office.

Another beneficiary from the government, despite opposing Dr. Ruto, is the former West Pokot Governor, Prof. John Lonyangapuo.

On March 10, 2023, the President appointed him as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Rift Water Infrastructure Development Agency.